CARROT LEMON GINGER SOUP

Here is the crack soup recipe.  Anyone who makes it let me know what you think.  I have a batch going right now.  I was short basil, so added a little mint.  I also had some celery so decided to throw it in.

1 large onion chopped
2-3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup butter
8 cups of vegetable broth (approx.)
FRESH ginger to taste ( I add quite a bit, just keep tasting it until it is where you like it)
1-1/2-2lbs of carrots sliced
1-3 tomatoes, chopped
1-3 potatoes, chopped
1/4 cup shredded basil
salt and pepper
1 cup of either creme fraiche/sour cream or plain yogurt.  It works well with any of them.  I use sour cream most often, because I usually have it on hand.
1/4 lemon juice
dash of curry and hot sauce (I use tabasco)

Saute onion and garlic in butter.
Add carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, broth, garlic ginger, basil, lemon, s&p
Bring to a boil and simmer for approx 45 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
Puree in blender in batches and add back into pot.
Add creme fraiche or sour cream or plain yogurt, stir, simmer until hot again. 
Add a dollop of above to soup before serving.

A Typical Weekend

I pulled weeds and now have a, fortunately small, patch of poison ivy. 

I also woke up with a tick on my ear, Ian very nicely removed it for me.  

The cat barfed up a hairband hairball. 

Two kids, two cats and a labrador slept in bed with me last night, because we had a big storm with thunder and lightning.  The kitten was so happy to have so much company all in the same spot that she spent all night marching to a purring beat all over each of us.  It is hard to sleep with a cat percolating on your head. 

Juno left a dead chipmunk on the doormat.

I got five pieces in the jigsaw puzzle that has been on the table since January.  I think gluing and saving puzzles is totally dorky, but I may do it with this one.  Finishing it will be an accomplishment.

Vacuumed up about fifty stink bugs and I am looking at one belly up on the table in front of me.  They are everywhere!

I Made my "May Flowers" squirrel quilt.  I watched two squirrels tease Minnow, they were having the best time tormenting her.  She was in the crook of a tree and they would run around and chatter to her and then run to the other side.  All you could see of her was her tail going back and forth, she finally gave up.

I Finished 750 pages of the most boring book ever!   The last Jean Auel book was excruciating, if she didn't have a cult following this book would never sell a copy.  It was a MAJOR disappointment.  If I didn't have that neurotic habit of having to finish a book if I start it, I would have quit at page 100. 

Luraya Carpets

Ellen and I went down to Harrisonburg, VA for my niece's graduation.  We had a wonderful weekend!  On the way home I told Ellen we are going to see Luray Caverns.  She told me she didn't want to see the La Brea tar pits.  I told her, "tough, we are going to LURAY CAVERNS, whether she wants to or not."  She had the best time and said, "thanks for taking me to the Luraya Carpets!"  Every conversation with my kids seems to be a game of telephone.

My April quilt was made in April, but not posted.  The quilt speaks for itself with all my frustrations. 

Dicks Franks, Monsewer

Went to a story hour at the retirement community where Helen lives and listened to stories read by a monotone, droning, Baltimore accented volunteer.  Yes, it is nice of him to put to sleep - I mean read- to the resident's, but sheesh put some oomph into it.  He was reading a story that had french passages in it and foreign words that were absolutely appallingly butchered.  Ian, pronounced Ion by the guy, took a nap with the other listeners.  The story was about the pshaw and his trip to France aboard the vish door.  I didn't have a clue what he was talking about.  After some puzzling,  I deciphered that the pshaw was the Egyption Pasha.  One sentence was the one above, which I interpreted as "dix francs, monseiur."  

Two people this week commented to me that they would know I was feeling better when I posted again.  I think I am feeling better, finding the humor in things again.  I started a book, but it might be too depressing to read.  I was in her bookstore last summer and took a couple of pictures. She has a confessional in the middle of the store with this sign.  Chummi Bear who is still missing took a picture inside.

If the old adage "April showers brings May flowers" is true, then we are going to have lots of flowers.  It is hard to believe it is one day away from May and another school year almost wrapped up.  

Sad, Sad, Sad and More Sad

I have not posted in awhile.  I have not sewn in awhile.  I have not read a new book in awhile.  I have not walked in the park in awhile.  My seasonal funk has become a bout of depression - I think.  I really didn't know how desperately close to my heart I was counting on my vaccine trial being a miracle cure.  I knew rationally that this wouldn't happen, but I figured I would be the one to beat the odds.  The thought of going back on chemo, even the low dose that it is, has been devastating.  I don't usually write cancer stuff on this blog, but on Caringbridge everyone very nicely will tell me things will be okay.  You know what, things are not going to be okay.  I continue to fight a fight that no matter what, I am going to lose.  After I go on chemo again, it is just erosion.  Ned asked me if the bad cells and good cells are really fighting?  I asked if he meant with boxing gloves and he said, "no, swords."  Problem is my good cells have swords, but the bad cells have automatic weapons and rocket launchers.

I got the call today that Sarah had to be put to sleep this afternoon.  She is the same age, same litter as Hoover, but she got cancer.  I still haven't recovered from Riley's death and now Sarah is gone also.  I remember how cute she and Hoover were sleeping together in the baby bouncy seat.  She was the ultimate family dog.  I never met a dog who loved people as much as she did.  She loved everyone and wanted everyone to love her back.  The last few days I was told she only had energy to wag her tail, a sweet girl gone.

Add into this late nights, rotting wood, a cat with a nervous disorder, $4.69 gas, cold rain, weight gain, tired kids, a clogged toilet and it is just a sad time.  "Don't nobody bring me no bad news."